If you study in a university or want to study in a university did you ever wanted to compare your university with others? We are not talking about comparing the weather, campus or party life but on pure academic standards. Every bright student would love to get admission in these universities but only few are lucky. These universities are known all over the world for their academic values. Many great leaders, businessmen, entrepreneurs, scientists studied in these universities and become what they are today. So, here is our list of 10 best universities in the world.

#1 HARVARD UNIVERSITY – USA

Whenever a good list related to universities come out, you’ll find Harvard always on the top spot. Founded in 1636, Harvard University is the most prestigious university in the world and also one of the richest with $37.6 billion endowment. Its list of famous alumni is never ending.

#2 STANFORD UNIVERSITY – USA

Founded in 1885 by Leland Stanford, Stanford University is a private research university based in Stanford,California. The university has top end research facilities for the students and researchers because of its $22.2 billion endowment. Companies like Google, HP, Nike, Yahoo!, Snapchat, Instagram are founded by alumni of the university. The university is alma-mater of more than 30 living billionaires.

#3 MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (MIT) – USA

MIT is one of world’s leading science research centers. MIT was founded in 1861. With an endowment of $13.4 billion, the university is popular for its contribution in scientific research and engineering. Companies like Intel, Qualcomm, Dropbox, Rockwell International and many more are founded by the alumni of MIT.

#4 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA –  USA

The university was established in 1868 and since then become one of the major institutions for higher studies and research. University of California has total 10 campuses, with 238,700 students and 135,900 staff members.

#5 UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE – UNITED KINGDOM

Founded in 1209, The University of Cambridge is older than most of the nations in the world. It’s one of the oldest surviving universities in the world and is alma mater of people like SirIsaac Newton, Stephen Hawking, Charles Darwin, John Milton and many more.

#6 PRINCETON UNIVERSITY – USA

Founded in 1746, Princeton is a private research university in Princeton, New Jersey. The university has an endowment of $22 billion and is one of the prestigious universities in the world.

#7 CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – USA

The university was established in 1891, and every year 7000 applicants compete for just 200 spots. The university has a 3:1 student/faculty ratio and $2.1 billion endowment.

#8 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY – USA

Established in 1754, Columbia University is the fifth oldest institution in the USA. The notable alumni of University include Barack Obama, Theodore Roosevelt, Warren Buffett and many others.

#9 University of Chicago – USA

Founded in 1890, the faculty and students have won total 89 Nobel prizes. The university has endowment of $7.5 billion.

#10 OXFORD UNIVERSITY – UNITED KINGDOM

Although founding date of university is not known, evidence of teaching goes as far back as 1096, making it the world’s second oldest university. The total endowment of the university is $4.7 billion and it’s been alumni of 26 British Prime Ministers, Bill Clinton, 5 Prime Ministers of Australia, 2 Prime Ministers of Canada and many others.

Education Facts

Friday, July 08, 2016

There are many things that need to be noted when one talks about the pros and cons of nuclear weapons. Whatever the reason(s) for acquiring arms, every country needs to defend its soil. In the race to do so, some countries have gone way ahead of others, and thus find a place in the list of top 10 nuclear weapons countries in the entire world.

The race for arms among the top 10 military powers of the world has been hot since the past 60 - 70 years. There are other countries too that are believed to possess nuclear arms and warheads, but that remains a secret or unconfirmed.

For now, let us have a look at the top 10 nuclear power countries around the world. This list is arranged according to the years in which each country kick-started their respective nuclear programs.

1. United States of America

First Test: 1945
Code Name: Trinity
Active Warheads: 2,100
Total Warheads: 4,800
Status: NPT

During World War II, it was feared that the Nazi regime would strive to develop nuclear weapons. As such, the United States started the Manhattan Project along with Canada and the United Kingdom. Trinity was first developed in 1945. The US bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 2 Japanese cities, and is the only nation till date to have used nuclear weapons against any other country.

2. Russia

First Test: 1949
Code Name: RDS-1
Active Warheads: 1,600
Total Warheads: 4,500
Status: NPT

After the World War, Russia needed to restore some balance of power during the Cold War era. They were desperate and scrambled to develop their own nuclear weapons program, to be on level terms with the US. It is also believed that Russia made use of many spies to help develop their projects. Russia has the distinction of detonating the most powerful device by humans, the Tsar Bomba (50 megatons).

3. United Kingdom

First Test: 1952
Code Name: Hurricane
Active Warheads: 160
Total Warheads: 225
Status: NPT

Hurricane was first tested by the UK in 1952. A lot of its resources and data were taken from the Manhattan Project that was done in collaboration with the United States. The UK's main aim was that its project acts as a deterrent to Russia. It did not want to rely completely on the US for help, and wanted to be an independent nuclear power itself.

4. France

First Test: 1960
Code Name: Gerboise Bleue 

Active Warheads: 290

Total Warheads: 300
Status: NPT

Now the French did not want to be lagging behind either. It wanted to be a power to reckon with, at least in Europe, if not around the world. A commendable fact is that most of the project was carried out on indigenous data. Gerboise Bleue was tested in 1960.

5. China

First Test: 1964
Code Name: 596

Active Warheads: 180
Total Warheads: 250
Status: NPT

China was wary of both the US and Russia. 596 was first tested in 1964. But once the Chinese got started, they worked hard and fast, and were striving to be at par with the two superpowers of the world, Russia and the US. It also serves as a deterrent for the Indian aggression in the region.

6. India

First Test: 1974
Code Name: Smiling Buddha

Active Warheads: NA
Total Warheads: 110
Status: Non-NPT

India tested Smiling Buddha in 1974. India maintained that it was a peaceful nuclear program, but it was alleged that dual-use technology was apparent, where civilian nuclear technology could be secretly channeled to weapons technology. India's aim was to be at par with China, and also make sure that its neighbor Pakistan was aware of its capabilities.

7. Israel

First Test: 1979
Code Name: Vela Incident
Active Warheads: NA
Total Warheads: 110
Status: Undeclared

Israel has never officially declared that it is a nuclear weapons state, and has always maintained that whatever it does is related to its civilian nuclear program. Though, images of bunkers for weapons, mobile missile launchers, and launch sites have been captured through satellite photography on numerous occasions.

8. Pakistan

First Test: 1998
Code Name: Chagai-I
Active Warheads: NA
Total Warheads: 120
Status: Non-NPT

Not wanting to be left behind by India, Pakistan started its own nuclear program. But it was only in 1998 that Pakistan tested Chagai, and is believed to be a nation in hot pursuit of increasing its stockpile because of Indian hegemonic emotions in the region.

9. NorthKorea

First Test: 2006
Code Name: 2006 Test
Active Warheads: NA
Total Warheads: 20
Status: Non-NPT

The first test by North Korea was as recently as 2006. North Korea was a member of the NPT until 2003. Not much is known about the tests and subsequent projects, as North Korea is one of the most secretive countries in the world.

10. Others

Germany/Belgium/Canada/Greece/Italy/Netherlands/Turkey: These are NATO countries, and as a result of the NATO nuclear weapons sharing program, these nations have deployed and stored nuclear weapons that have been provided by the United States. This program is believed to be compliant with the NPT, as the US possesses absolute custody and control of these nuclear weapons.

Besides these top 10 nuclear weapons countries, there were a few countries that were considered nuclear powers earlier. Kazakhstan, Belarus and Ukraine became nuclear powers when they inherited weapons due to the fall of the USSR, but they have given these weapons of mass destruction back to Russia and have joined the NPT. Lastly, countries such as South Africa, Argentina, South Korea, Libya, Brazil and Taiwan have all had nuclear weapon programs earlier, but have shelved them eventually due to varied reasons.

Facts

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Humans are social animals. They are brazen adventurers willing to go to any length to seek out the resources necessary to not just survive, but thrive. On the other hand, they can also be lazy and unimaginative, contented with little effort and the creature comforts of civilization. These opposing facts, taken together, can't sufficiently explain why the following metropolises exist.

These are cities in areas of the Earth where humankind clearly was not meant to be. Some are quite successful - heralded as exemplar world cities both as destinations and as places to live. In others, residents and visitors still constantly face the threat of death by dehydration, isolation, or exposure.

Cities aren't always located in the most comfortable locations. These are the wettest, driest, coldest, hottest, highest, most isolated, least accessible & windiest.

These are the cities in the world’s most inhospitable locales:

1. Yakutsk, Russia – World’s Coldest City

Yakutsk, located in Russia’s SakhaRepublic, has a yearly mean temperature of -8.8^o C. That number is deceiving as summer in Yakutsk brings several relatively warm months during which life thaws (though the ground doesn’t – Yakutsk is also the largest city built on permafrost) and temperatures can exceed 30^o C. This means that during Yakutsk’s long winter the thermometer often dips below -40^o C (the mean lows in December and January are -40.4^o C, and -41.5^o C respectively), with the coldest temperature ever recorded being -64.4^o C.

In the winter months, the 269,000 people in Yakutsk (understandably) spend as little time outside as possible. When they do venture into the cold, they are bundled in insulated clothing and/or animal furs, and possibly sipping vodka from a thermos. When they need to use a vehicle in the extreme cold, they will keep it running all day to prevent the battery from dying, making steering wheel locks a must. Vehicle exhaust, in addition to factory smog, and the breath of residents creates an ethereal haze that cloaks the city throughout the season.

2. Kuwait City, Kuwait – World’s Hottest City

Kuwait City has a metropolitan population of 2.4 million who can somehow stand the blistering heat and sandstorms that plague this middle-eastern capital city each year. The city has an annual mean high temperature of 34.3^o C, with the months of June, July and August averaging highs between 45-47^o C. In 2012, nearby Sulaibya set the record for the highest temperature ever recorded in Asia at 53.8^o C (128.8^o F).

Kuwaitis beat the heat during the summertime by going to the beach; visiting ‘Aqua Park’, the largest water park in the Persian Gulf region; or hanging out at ‘The Avenues,’ the largest shopping mall in Kuwait, where you’ll find western chains such as Dolce & Gabbana, FatBurger, Footlocker, and Texas Roadhouse.

Unrelenting heat to this degree can be deadly. The government imposes an outdoor work ban June through August from 11am to 4pm. However, the ban is rarely enforced for foreign workers who make up nearly a third of Kuwait’s population. Kuwait has also been criticized for systemic abuse of foreign domestic workers, who have reportedly been forced into slavery. Because of this, countries like Indonesia, Nepal, and Sierra Leone have banned its citizens from conducting domestic work in the Middle Eastern nation.

3. Aswan, Egypt – World’s Driest City

Aswan is the world’s driest city with less than a millimeter of rainfall annually. Despite a dearth of precipitation, there is access to water. Aswan is located on the Nile and just south of the city lies the world’s largest rock-filled dam (High Dam, or commonly referred to as the Aswan Dam) which creates one of the world’s largest man-made bodies of water, Lake Nasser.

The city's name reeks of irony, as "Aswan" is an old Nubian word which roughly translates "too much water". This isn't intentionally funny; it was named due to the flood cycle of the Nile River.

4. Buenaventura, Colombia – World’s Wettest City

More than twenty feet of rain (6,275.6 mm) falls annually on Colombia’s largest port city; Buenaventura. Many neighborhoods on the waterfront of Golfo Tortugas (Turtle Gulf) are primarily comprised of shacks built on stilts. Buildings located away from the bay, around the city’s undulating hills, are an array of weather worn concrete, corrugated steel roofs and awnings, and the occasional crumbling wooden façade, rotted through due to non-stop rain and consistent moisture in the air. Rain has become a way of life in Buenaventura. As Colombia’s largest port city it is one of South America’s largest hubs for drug trafficking.

5. Wellington, New Zealand – World’s Windiest City

At 29 km/h, ‘Windy Wellington’ has average wind-speeds 11 km/h higher than America’s better known ‘Windy City’, Chicago. Wellington is located in the ‘Roaring Forties’ or the ‘River of Wind’, a meteorological phenomenon which occurs between 40 and 50 latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere. Here, hot air from the Equator meets the polar vortex with the only land masses present to break the gusts being the southern tip of South America, and, Wellington (as well as the rest of New Zealand’s South Island).

6. El Alto, Bolivia – World’s Highest City (Altitude)

Located 4,150 meters (more than 2 ½ miles) above sea level, the city of El Alto is located in the Altiplano plains region of Bolivia. It started out in the early 20^th century as an inconveniently located slum of Bolivia’s administrative capital La Paz, located in the valley below. It has since surpassed La Paz in size and population, and is now the second largest and fastest growing city in Bolivia with 1.18 million residents.

7. Perth, Australia – World’s Most Isolated City

To drive from Perth to the next (relatively) large city in Australia, you would need to make a two day trek through desert climate, along one of the most desolate stretches of road in the world across the Nullarbor (no tree) Plains to Adelaide, South Australia. It is such a feat that there are bumper stickers which commemorate the accomplishment.

It is home to the headquarters of the world’s largest diamond mine, boasts a 4.3% unemployment rate, and is routinely named one the best cities in the world to live in.

8. Iquitos, Peru – World’s Least Accessible City

The only way to get to the Peruvian ‘Capital of the Amazon’ Iquitos is by boat or plane. Small ships can reach the city from the Atlantic Ocean, some 3,600 km of travel up the Amazon River, or short flights from Lima, Peru, or Panama City, Panama service the city most days of the week. The city is so remote, very few cars have been transported here, so the city relies on buses, and smaller, motorized rickshaws for transportation.

Have you ever visited any of them, then add your experience by commenting.

Facts

Monday, April 25, 2016

With over 200 countries in the world, it's easy to think the word "country" equates to a massive land area with large numbers of people. Some nations are so small that cities within other nations are giants compared to them. Mostly found in Europe, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, there are many countries in the world with an area of less than 400 square kilometers.

With their own governments and own culture, these small countries are some of the richest, most remote, and most intriguing places in the world. Let's take a look at the 10 smallest countries in the world today:

10 – Grenada - 344 km²

An island nation in the Caribbean, Grenada is also known as “The Island of Spice." The world's largest producer of nutmeg and mace crops, this nation located northwest of Trinidad and Tobago was colonized by the French from 1649 to 1763, which explains the very strong influence of French tradition and culture in the country. A popular tourist destination, you'll find French-influenced architecture and art all around the island, with cricket as the most popular sport.

9 – Malta - 316 km²

Malta is another island country, however, its located in the Mediterranean Sea. 3 major islands make up the Republic of Malta: Gozo, Comino, and the largest, Malta. This small country has a population of over 450,000 inhabitants, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Another popular tourist destination, foreigners from all over the world come to Malta for its sunny weather, attractive beaches, over 7,000 years of intriguing history, and a still vibrant nightlife.

8 – Maldives - 300 km²

A popular tourist destination in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is the smallest country in Asia in terms of area and population. There are over 1,192 coral islands in the Maldives, which are spread over 90,000 sq.km, making it one of the world's most dispersed countries. The country was once the colony of many empires, the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British, but became an independent country in 1965. Today, the Maldives has a vibrant tourism economy due to its famous white sand beaches and crystal blue waters.

7 – Saint Kitts and Nevis - 261 km²

The Mother Colony of the West Indies, these 2 islands in the Caribbean were some of the first islands to be occupied by Europeans. Its economy is dependent on tourism, agriculture, and small manufacturing industries. The islands also provide fantastic diving sites due to abundant marine life. A major sugar exporter for centuries, the large plantations are now beautiful estates that have been converted into hotels and resorts.

6 – Liechtenstein - 160 km²

A German-speaking country, this is the only nation in the world to be completely located in the Alps. Located between Switzerland and Austria, Liechtenstein is the richest country in the world by GDP per capita, with the lowest unemployment rate (1.5%). Getting into the country is a little tricky without an airport. Visitors must go through Switzerland's Zurich Airport to reach this Alpine country that's still ruled by a prince.

5 – San Marino - 61 km²

Surrounded completely by Italy, San Marino is also known as the Most Serene Republic of San Marino. Claiming to be the oldest surviving sovereign state in the world, it is also one of the wealthiest in terms of GDP per capita. The 3rd smallest country in Europe, it has a population of only 30,000, boasting of one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world.

4 – Tuvalu - 26 km²

Formerly known as the Ellice Islands, Tuvalu is located in the Pacific Ocean, west of Australia. There are about 10,000 inhabitants, with 8km of roads, and only 1 hospital present on the main island. The country was once a British territory but became independent in 1978. A difficult place to get to, tourism is not very significant. In 2010, less than 2,000 visitors came to Tuvalu, with 65% of them coming for business.

3 – Nauru - 21 km²

An island nation located east of Australia, Nauru is the smallest island country in the world. It was known in the 1980's for a booming phosphate mining but is now a quiet island off the radar of tourists. Formerly known as Pleasant Island, its phosphate resources are now depleted, leading to a 90% national unemployment rate, with the remaining 10% employed by the government. Nauru is also known as the country with the most obese people in the world, with 97% of its men and 93% of women being obese or overweight. Because of this, Nauru is also home to the world's highest level of type 2 diabetes, with 40% of its population suffering from the ailment.

2 – Monaco - 2 km²

Located on the French Riviera, Monaco is home to the largest number of millionaires and billionaires per capita in the world. Known for its gambling and luxury goods and services industry, Monaco is a favorite playground of the rich and famous. Bordered by France on 3 sides and one side by the Mediterranean Sea, the residents of Monaco are mostly French-speaking. With a population of over 36,000, Monaco is the world's most densely populated country. The most popular annual event is the Formula 1 Race, with tracks passing through the city streets.

1 – Vatican - 0.44 km²

The world's smallest country is the Vatican, also known as the Holy See. This country fits within the Italian capital city of Rome, and is the center of the Catholic Church. It is also home to the biggest church in the world – St. Peter's Basilica, and holds some of the most significant art works of the Renaissance such as The Pieta and the Creation of Adam. Its income comes from the voluntary contributions of over 1 billion members of the Roman Catholic Church around the world. The remainder of its economy comes from the sales of postage stamps, tourist mementos, and admission fees of museums.

Facts

Sunday, August 23, 2015